Trailer Brake Control Module Local Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems for vehicle combinations, particularly those involving trailers, face inefficiencies and reliability issues due to the reliance on central control units for processing pressure sensor signals, which can lead to delayed responses and interference, affecting control quality and increasing complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent trailer control module with integrated interfaces processes pressure sensor signals locally, eliminating the need for a distributed control loop and minimizing external interference, thereby enhancing control quality and reducing the burden on central control units by relocating functions and reducing the number of connections and assembly variants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If pressure sensor signals are processed in a central control unit, then control functions can be centralized, but signal transmission delays and external interference increase, reducing control accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distributed control units, with each pressure sensor connected to its own evaluation unit. This segmentation eliminates the need for signal transmission to a central control unit, thereby reducing transmission delays and external interference while maintaining functional distribution. The segmentation principle directly resolves the contradiction by localizing control functions to improve measurement precision without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If sensor signals are transmitted via external lines to a central control unit, then centralized processing is achieved, but signal interference from external sources and ground offsets increase
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation function is extracted from the central control unit and placed directly at the sensor level. Each pressure sensor has its own evaluation unit that processes signals locally, eliminating the need for external line transmission to a central unit. This extraction removes the source of signal interference and ground offsets while still achieving centralized control through digital communication of results.
Solution Approach 2:
A digital communication interface acts as an intermediary between the distributed evaluation units and the central control system. Instead of transmitting analog sensor signals through external lines that are susceptible to interference, the system uses digital communication to transmit processed data, thereby eliminating signal interference and ground offset issues while maintaining centralized monitoring and control capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functions are integrated in the central control unit, then system functionality is comprehensive, but the number of connection pins and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
System functions are segmented and distributed to specialized evaluation units located at each sensor. Each evaluation unit handles specific pressure sensor processing locally, reducing the need for numerous connection pins between sensors and the central control unit. The segmented architecture maintains comprehensive system functionality while reducing physical connectivity complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation units are designed with universal functionality to handle multiple pressure sensor types and configurations. By creating multi-functional evaluation units that can process various sensor inputs locally, the system achieves comprehensive adaptability without requiring specialized connection pins for each function, thereby reducing overall connection complexity while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (220) for controlling a brake system of a trailer of a vehicle combination from a traction vehicle of the vehicle combination. The apparatus (220) has a plurality of valves (222, 224, 226) for adjusting a control pressure of a working medium for the brake system of the trailer. The plurality of valves (222, 224, 226) comprise an inlet valve (222), an outlet valve (224) and a safety valve (226). The apparatus (220) also has at least one pressure sensor (228) for detecting the at least one control pressure and for providing a sensor signal (229) which represents the at least one detected control pressure. In addition, the apparatus (220) has a supply interface (230) for receiving an electrical supply voltage from a central control unit (210) of a brake system of the traction vehicle, and a communication interface (235) for transmitting signals (219) between the apparatus (220) and the central control unit (210). The apparatus (220) also has a control device (240) for evaluating the sensor signal (229) of the pressure sensor (228) and for controlling the valves (222, 224, 226) according to the evaluated sensor signal (229) and according to a control signal (219) from the central control unit (210), which control signal has been transmitted via the communication interface (235).